WEYBURN – The president of the Weyburn Soccer Association, Jason Roy, was named the Volunteer of the Year by the Saskatchewan Soccer Association at the awards banquet held at McKenna Hall in Weyburn on Saturday evening.
The provincial association held their annual meeting in Weyburn, and included an afternoon of player and coaches sessions, and a demo of walking soccer, at the Credit Union Spark Centre.
“Just to be nominated is a huge honour, and to imagine you are looked up with regard is a win by itself,” said Roy. “To have my name chosen over two other nominees that deserved the recognition as much as I did is unbelievable.”
He also noted that having Weyburn chosen to host the AGM and awards event for the Sask. Soccer Association was also special, and he paid tribute to the strength and quality of the Weyburn association.
“To be this successful only shows how amazing the Weyburn Soccer Association board really is, because this cannot be achieved alone,” he said.
Roy pointed out that the “icing on the cake” was having his son Brennen act as one of the emcees for the awards, and he read out his father’s name for the Volunteer of the Year award, presenting it to him onstage.
“It was a phenomenal evening with lifetime of memories,” he said.
A past winner of a provincial award and fellow board member, Tyler Hillstead, said in his nomination letter, “Jason was dedicated to our mission to cultivate an inclusive and welcoming community by developing great people through the love and spirit of the game and was an invaluable member of our volunteer team. In my capacity as past Technical Director with Weyburn Soccer Association, I worked closely with Jason on various projects including developing our Vision, Mission and Value statements, becoming a Canada Soccer Quality Soccer provider, expanding to Fall/Winter programming and our All-Abilities program.”
He also paid tribute to Roy in a Facebook post on WSA’s page about the award, noting the big strides the association has made as its grown in the last few years.
“Registration numbers are the highest they have been in over 15 years. WSA has youth and adult all abilities program; WSA has a Just Play program giving newcomers to Weyburn a free year of soccer; and WSA has a club curriculum that has station training and game-based training bringing maximum fun in our practices,” he said, pointing out this recognition has brought WSA three awards in the last four years.
“None of this happens without your endless hours and commitment to Weyburn Soccer and your drive to improve the game of soccer in our community and the province,” said Hillstead.
The official nomination form from WSA noted of Roy, “Since 2011 he has been involved with WSA as a community coach, a volunteer, competitive coach, referee, and board member. He became our current president in 2017. His leadership through the COVID pandemic in 2020 and return to play in 2021 helped minimize disruption in our soccer club athletes, families, and board of directors.”
Outside of soccer, he is a volunteer for Paramedics With Heart through the Weyburn EMS, and was instrumental in founding this group in 2021.
“Jason is a tireless volunteer and he inspires others with his great big grin and sincere love for youth and the sport of soccer. He is not afraid to do the work and his results encourage others to be selfless in their efforts as well,” said the nomination letter. “Jason loves people and enjoys connecting with other soccer clubs across the province and always brings new and better ideas back to our club.”
